Where You Injured at a Job Site? If You Suffered a Concussion After a Scaffolding Fall in Staten Island, Call Our Experienced Construction Accident Lawyer for Help

Construction workers are at a high risk for injury given that they are often at high heights or are on unstable surfaces such as scaffolding, putting them at risk for falls. In fact, falls are part of the “fatal four,” or the four most common causes of construction worker deaths. Of all causes of construction injuries or deaths, falls are the leading cause, with almost 35% of all injuries or deaths on a construction site being caused by a fall from a height. Although construction workers may suffer any type of injury, one type of injury they are particularly at risk for are concussions. A concussion after a scaffolding fall in Staten Island can result in serious and permanent personal injuries. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in any type of construction fall, especially from scaffolding, call our experienced construction accident lawyer in Staten Island for help.

Here at the O’Connor Law Firm, we understand that concussions are very serious personal injuries. Although defense lawyers and insurance adjusters will claim that concussions are mild, largely pointing out how sports and athletes have handled concussions, we know that is just not the case. Concussions are serious and even catastrophic injuries to the brain, potentially causing long-term or permanent brain damage or even wrongful death. Not only do concussions affect an injured worker, but they can impact an entire family. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in any type of fall from a height, especially if you suffered a concussion after a scaffolding fall in Staten Island, please call our construction accident lawyer to schedule a FREE consultation to learn more about your rights to compensation under New York law.

What is Scaffolding?

Scaffolding refers to the temporary structure often seen on the outside of buildings that is used to allow construction workers to repair, build, or even clean a building. Typically they are made from metal poles or wooden planks. These structures allow construction workers to work off of the ground on the part of the building they are working on.

Unfortunately, scaffolding can be expensive. Because of this, construction companies often will reuse old and damage scaffolding for as long as they can before they have to purchase new ones. In addition, comes companies will even make their own scaffolding, such as out of old wood, form wood (for concrete), and other pieces of scrap framing wood (even wood that is not suitable for framing). These companies then expect workers to trust their lives on these scaffolding structures which are negligently built, not stable, and not according to code.

How Concussions Occur From Scaffolding Falls?

The most obvious way a concussion can occur from a scaffolding fall is when a construction worker falls off of the scaffolding and strikes his head. This can occur for a number of reasons. Scaffolding is supposed to have safeguards such as guardrails, so an absence of one of those safety features can lead to a fall off the side. Additionally, if the scaffolding is improperly installed, this too can lead to a fall which in turn can lead to a concussion. A failure to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards can lead to falls causing serious or even fatal concussions.

When it comes to a concussion, workers who are falling from scaffolding may strike their head on the ground as the result of the fall. This means striking hard ground, concrete, or other flooring. Sometimes workers fall onto other equipment and may hit their head on heavy gear or machines. Other times workers may be falling and strike their head on objects on the way down, including railing, other floors, or lull, lifts, or forklifts that are working in the area. Sometimes workers may suffer concussions when the scaffolding they fall from collapses and lands on top of them, causing serious injury.

Types of Concussions Caused by Scaffolding Falls

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI. There are six types of concussions that can occur as a result of scaffolding fall. These types include the following:

• Vestibular – This type of concussion can impair motion, vision and balance, and impairs the part of the brain that controls balance; known as the vestibular system. A concussion impairing the vestibular system can impair hand-eye coordination, the ability to interpret motion, and may cause vertigo or nystagmus.
• Cognitive – This type of concussion can cause problems with the ability to focus on complex tasks, excessive fatigue, and the ability to learn or retain information.
• Ocular – Ocular concussions can cause visual impairment, including the ability to look at a phone or other type of screen, or the ability to read longer pieces of information. Ocular concussions can also cause impairment of depth perception, impaired night vision, impaired light sensitivity or other visual impairments such as flashes of lights or spots in their vision.
• Cervical – Cervical concussions can cause pressure on the spinal cord or neck, often leading to headaches.
• Mood concussions – Concussions impairing emotions can cause mood changes, often leading to excessive worry. This type of concussion can also impair the ability to appropriately interact socially. Victims with this type of concussion may develop new phobias or have uncontrollable mood swings.
• Post-traumatic migraine – This type of concussion can cause significant headaches, nausea, or sensitivity or light or noise.

Did You Suffer a Concussion After a Scaffolding Fall in Staten Island? Call Us Today

If you suffered any type of personal injuries in a construction accident, especially in a fall from a height, call our experienced construction accident lawyer in Staten Island at the O’Connor Law Firm for help. We handle serious, catastrophic, or fatal personal injury cases throughout Staten Island, Brooklyn, New York City, The Bronx, Queens, Long Island, and in surrounding areas, especially cases involving a concussion after a scaffolding fall in Staten Island.

To learn more about your rights, please call to schedule your FREE case evaluation and appointment by dialing (718) 948-3500 or send us an email through our “Contact Us” box available here.